The NFL draft is the ultimate showcase of what-ifs in pro football history. The moves teams make can sometimes decide the franchise's direction for years to come. Even the smallest decision can have gigantic implications. However, sometimes, it's the moves you don't make that can end up having the greater impact. GM Ryan Poles may find that out in the near future. NFL Films recently released new footage from the 2024 draft covering several warrooms on The Pick Is In for the Roku Channel. The Chicago Bears were among those teams involved. While everybody remembers the selection of Caleb Williams, they might be shocked at how much drama surrounded the one for Rome Odunze. Specifically how it almost cost them Austin Booker.
A new clip shows Poles speaking with assistant GM Ian Cunningham about calling the Atlanta Falcons about moving up from #9. Atlanta sat at #8. Chicago wanted to see if they'd drop down one spot in exchange for a future 4th round pick, similar to the deal made with Philadelphia last year. The Falcons ended up not taking the deal, preferring to stay put and select Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Bears got Odunze at #9. That 4th rounder that Poles was ready to surrender ended up going to Buffalo two days later in exchange for their 5th round pick, allowing Chicago to grab Booker.
Austin Booker may teach Poles the value of patience.
Credit must go to Cunningham. It was evident by the clip that he didn't see the point of calling Atlanta. He knew they weren't taking Odunze. All signs indicated they weren't focused on wide receivers. Poles likely feared that somebody else might trade up first, so he wanted to gauge their interest in a pick swap. It didn't go that way. Chicago got to keep their pick while getting the player they wanted all along. If Austin Booker becomes a productive pass rusher for the team, that non-deal may go down as one of the most important in recent Bears history.
Recent updates from practices suggest the rookie looks good. Montez Sweat even admitted excitement at seeing Booker develop. People were shocked he came out of college at all. They expected him to stay another year. He'd only played one season for Kansas. Had he stayed, there is a strong likelihood he would've gone much higher in the 2025 draft. This means the Bears may have gotten a bargain. All they have to do is ensure his development goes smoothly.
